Salads are a universal language. There isn’t a cuisine in the world that doesn’t have dressed veggies as part of a nutritious and hearty meal. My Mediterranean Chickpea Salad is another great option to add to your favorites with its tangy dressing and filling ingredients. With summer around the corner, this salad is a great refreshing option.

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What I love about this salad is that it could work as a meal on its own. With the chickpeas and selection of veggies, this salad is satisfying in so many levels. Who doesn’t love a filling salad in their menu rotation? Here are a few other hearty salads to try: Easy Chicken Shawarma Salad, Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad, Mediterranean Three Bean Salad, and Greek Chickpea Salad with Feta.

Recipe Highlights

Cultural Influence: Inspired by the vibrant flavors and wholesome ingredients of the Mediterranean region, this chickpea salad celebrates the rich culinary heritage of the Mediterranean diet.

Primary Cooking Technique: Simple and straightforward assembly, allowing the fresh and vibrant ingredients to shine without the need for complicated cooking methods.

Suitable for: Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten-Free diets, making it a versatile and inclusive dish for gatherings and potlucks.

Dominant Flavor Profile: Bright and zesty, with a harmonious balance of tangy lemon, earthy sumac, and aromatic fresh herbs, creating a refreshing and satisfying salad.

Skill Level Required: Beginner-friendly, requiring minimal preparation and cooking skills, perfect for busy weeknights or quick lunches on-the-go.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Vibrant Flavor Explosion: Each bite of this Mediterranean chickpea salad bursts with fresh, vibrant flavors. From the zesty lemon dressing, aromatic dill and parsley, to the crisp bell peppers, it creates a delightful sensory experience.

Nutrient-Rich Ingredients: Packed with wholesome ingredients like chickpeas, red cabbage, and olives, this salad offers a nutritious boost. Moreover, it provides fiber, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals.

Quick and Easy Preparation: With minimal cooking involved, this salad comes together effortlessly. In addition, it is the perfect option for busy days when you need a healthy and satisfying meal. No need to spend hours in the kitchen.

Versatile and Customizable: This recipe serves as a versatile base that you can customize to suit your preferences. Feel free to add or swap ingredients based on what you have on hand, making it adaptable to your taste and dietary needs.

Make-Ahead Convenience: Prepare a batch of this chickpea salad in advance and store it in the fridge for a quick and convenient meal or snack throughout the week.

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Key Ingredients

• Chickpeas: Canned chickpeas serve as the hearty base of this salad, providing a good source of plant-based protein and fiber.

• Red Cabbage: Vibrant red cabbage adds a pop of color and a crunchy texture to the salad, along with a dose of antioxidants and vitamins.

• Olives: Chopped olives contribute a briny and salty flavor to the salad, enhancing its Mediterranean flair and providing a burst of umami.

• Fresh Dill: Fragrant fresh dill lends a refreshing and herbal note to the salad, infusing it with bright, citrusy undertones.

• Red or Yellow Bell Pepper: Diced bell peppers add a sweet and crisp element to the salad, along with a boost of vitamin C and antioxidants.

• Olive Oil: High-quality olive oil forms the base of the dressing, offering a rich and fruity flavor while providing healthy fats and antioxidants.

• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds acidity and brightness to the dressing, balancing the flavors of the salad and enhancing its freshness.

• Sumac: A tangy and citrusy spice, it adds a unique flavor dimension to the dressing, complementing the other ingredients with its subtle tartness.

• Kosher Salt: Kosher salt helps to season the salad and dressing, enhancing the flavors of the ingredients without overpowering them.

• Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper adds a hint of warmth and spice to the dressing, rounding out its flavor profile.

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How to Make

One of the perks of this salad is that it comes together easy and quick. Once you’ve washed the veggies and sliced or chopped them, it’s mere minutes and you’ll have the salad ready to go.

Step 1

Add sumac, salt, black pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice to a bowl. Mix together to form dressing.

Step 2

Strain the chickpeas and slice cabbage and add both to bowl with the dressing.

Step 3

Next, add the chopped peppers and olives.

Step 4

Mix all the ingredients well until they are fully incorporated with the dressing.

Final Step

Chill for up to an hour in the fridge and serve.

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Serving Suggestions

Mediterranean chickpea salad can be served on its own because it’s definitely a filling salad with chickpeas being the star and serving as substitute for protein. But, you can also serve it with a protein to make it even heartier and more satisfying.

Here are some proteins to serve up with this chickpea salad (either on top of, next to, or after the salad course):

• Grilled Zaatar Chicken
• Mediterranean Chicken Skewers
• Easy Mediterranean Chicken

• Best Fried Fish
• Mediterranean Style Salmon
• Grilled Tilapia

• Best Ever Beef Shawarma
• Juicy Kabob Koobideh
• Kabob Torsh

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Tips, Tricks, and Hacks

• Flavor Enhancement: For an extra flavor boost, marinate the chickpeas in the dressing for at least 30 minutes before assembling the salad. This allows the flavors to meld together and infuse the chickpeas with the delicious taste of the dressing.

• Customizable Ingredients: Feel free to customize the salad with your favorite Mediterranean-inspired ingredients. Additions like diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, or thinly sliced red onion can elevate the flavor and texture of the salad.

• Texture Variation: For added texture contrast, lightly toast the chickpeas in a skillet before adding them to the salad. This step enhances their nutty flavor and gives them a crispier texture, adding depth to the overall dish.

• Make-Ahead Option: This salad can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Simply keep the dressing separate until ready to serve to prevent the salad from becoming soggy. Assemble the salad just before serving for optimal freshness and flavor.

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Variations and Substitutes

Cabbage Swap: Experiment with different types of cabbage by using white cabbage instead of red. White cabbage offers a mild flavor and slightly crunchier texture, adding a refreshing element to the salad.

Herb Substitution: Customize the flavor profile by swapping dill for parsley. While dill adds a distinct tangy and aromatic taste, parsley offers a fresh and herbaceous flavor, complementing the other ingredients in the salad.

Veggie Variations: Get creative with the vegetables in this salad. Mix and match based on your preferences or what’s in season. Consider adding diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, or roasted bell peppers for added color, flavor, and texture.

Protein-Packed Option: Turn this salad into a complete meal by adding protein-rich ingredients like canned tuna, grilled chicken, or flaked salmon. These additions not only make the salad more filling but also provide an extra boost of nutrients and flavor.

Flavorful Extras: Enhance the salad with additional toppings such as crumbled feta cheese, toasted pine nuts, or avocado slices. These flavorful extras add richness and depth to the dish, making it even more satisfying and delicious.

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Storage

Store any leftover Mediterranean chickpea salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors will continue to meld together over time, enhancing the taste of the salad.

Before serving leftover salad, give it a quick toss to redistribute the dressing and ensure all the ingredients are well coated.

It’s best enjoyed fresh or within a few days of preparation for optimal taste and texture.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Other Satisfying Salads to Try:

Side dishes

Greek Pasta Salad Recipe

Mediterranean recipes

Easy Mediterranean Potato Salad

Mediterranean recipes

Mediterranean Couscous Salad Recipe

Mediterranean recipes

Mediterranean Lentil Salad Recipe

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